Stuart Martin

Allegany- Stuart Martin "No Caption, Thank you"

            Stuart Martin, 94, died October 24, 2019 at Olean General Hospital in Olean, following a brief illness.

            Stuart was born in Urmston, England on February 25, 1925. He is a son of Lily (Swirles) and Sydney Martin. On August 6, 2951 he married his loving wife of 68 years, Marie Waddoups, who survives.

            Stuart graduated from Stretford Technical College  and Salford Royal Technical College in England. Although he wanted to join the Army like his friends, he was directed by the government to interview in London and was “drafted” to work as a mechanical engineer at the Royal Air Craft Establishment in Farnborough, the center of the aviation industry during wartime England.  This was the beginning of jet engine design and he later viewed this opportunity as a big adventure.

            One of his most memorable experiences in the aviation field was being taken on a flight, seated in the front gunner turret of a WWII bomber plane. Another big adventure of his life was packing up his family of six and sailing on The Empress of England from England to Canada in 1964.

            Stuart’s career as a mechanical engineer specializing in gas turbines spanned 3 countries.   After Farnborough, he worked at Armstrong Siddeley (Coventry, England), Bristol Siddeley (Bristol, England), Hawker Siddeley (Toronto, Canada), and finally, Dresser Clark (Olean, New York), retiring in 1985.  Stuart’s work allowed him to travel worldwide and he earned recognition for “traveling around the world in one trip” and “crossing the international date line”.

              Stuart’s family grew up hearing many stories about living through the Manchester Blitz, hiking in the Peak District, specifically Kinder Scout, and his favorite team, Manchester United.  Stuart was also a social member of the Allegany American Legion, a life-long walker and gardener, and stock market enthusiast.

            In addition to his loving wife, Stuart is survived by their four children; Peter (Carolyn) Martin of Cypress, Texas, Michael Martin of Waterford, Alan Martin of Murrel’s Inlet, South Carolina and Jean (Vincent) Oliverio of Ellicottville; and seven grandchildren; Christopher, Laura, David, Brian, Steven, Nicholas and Eric.

            He was pre-deceased by his parents and a brother Norman Martin.

            In keeping with Stuart's request, there will be no public visitation or services. In lieu of flowers, memorials may be made to the charity of choice.

            Arrangements are under the direction of the Letro-McIntosh-Spink Funeral Home, Inc.,646 East State Street, Olean. Online condolences may be made at www.LetroMcIntoshSpinkFuneralHome.com